A trip to southwest France is a lively tutorial in savoring the spirit — and the landscape.

Jean-Luc Montembault's insight:

The NY Times reporter reminds here there is no better way to discover the cognac than to come to the source and to be accompanied by a guide who will open hidden doors of distilleries and cooperages for a successful experience in the Cognac vineyard.

Trebbiano is a white wine grape that originated in Italy, but has successfully migrated to other European wine regions. The variety's most notable migration was to the west of France, where it goes by the name Ugni Blanc and is the key grape of Cognac.

Jean-Luc Montembault's insight:

A short history of Ugni Blanc grape that is most grown to produce cognac, brought from Italy to France by monks thanks to a pope who moved from Rome to Avignon.

This introduction has to be linked with many ruins of abbayes in the Charentes.

America now consumes more cognac than any other country in the world. Here's why.

Jean-Luc Montembault's insight:

Northern America is now the most consuming world area in the world. This is partly explained by the US$ / € parity, partly by a real development of this category, both with young cognac (VS, 3*...) and much older (XO and over) and partly by the drop of consumption in China. Next could be the recovery of Russia once their economic turmoil is over. The worse for the Cognac country is not yet for tomorrow ...

Cognac : the very word embodies sophistication and class. This ancient drink should not be confused with brandies from Spain, Cyprus or other countries ...

Jean-Luc Montembault's insight:

Frapin has a specific position in the Cognac world. Like few trading houses it is known almost worldwide but it is not a trading house !

Like a number of family estates, Frapin distils wines coming only from their own vineyards and market only them but they are known worldwide like no other family estate !

If to this specific position you add the quality of their cognacs coming from the best growth area, the Grande Champagne vineyards, then you understand why visiting this estate is quite an experience ...

Annually, in the National Agricultural Fair, is held the Concours Général Agricole (CGA) The Competition Products aims to reward the best wines and the best French products, including the wines from Charentes, the Cognac country.

Jean-Luc Montembault's insight:

Not yet very known, these wines from the Charentes are drinking wines, not wines to be distilled.

Their quality improved significantly and they are now considered by amateurs.

A sign which does not mislead : Rémy Martin owners have invested in a wine estate just next to their Louis XIII storages

Hopefully the angels share is not 8 % a year but 2 % only. Tha's already nice to be at Paradise. The Cognac region, 100 miles north of Bordeaux, has been producing alcoholic drinks since the 12th century.

Jean-Luc Montembault's insight:

Much more to expérience in the #vineyards from the vine to the glass when touring with a guide

There are a number of ways to enjoy a cognac. No doubt, the best means are in the company of distillers and cellar masters. This is the discovery of the journalist who wrote this article.

Read the article, you'll also find cocktail ideas for New Year celebrations.

And if you also want to taste some cognacs directly in cellars with producers, book now an excursion or a trip to the Cognac country with an expert, among our Special Offers : http://shop.cognac-tasting-tour.fr/en/

Living surrounded by vineyards is influencing my perspective on life ....

Jean-Luc Montembault's insight:

Living in the vineyards of Cognac brings to live at a different pace. This way of living is a philosophy that is found among cognac producers and in their products. Each has to make the journey to discover this art of living ...

Love the thought of touring French vineyards and spending days sampling delicious French food and wines? Then check out our favourite 10 food and drink holidays across France that include among others Champagne trails, river cruises and Cognac tasting breaks

Jean-Luc Montembault's insight:

These 10 food & wine tours, including ours, are an invitation to leave the beaten path in France and discover the richness of our gastronomy and our wine making heritage.

Perhaps I should start by defining what a trading house generally means. These companies in the main buy in distilled grape juice (Eau de Vie) and then age, blend and market the final product ...

Jean-Luc Montembault's insight:

Here is a very nice presentation of the work of a trading house in the Cognac country Very nice because: - Cognac Delamain works in the spirit and form of the traders of former times - The explanation given by Mark, the visitor of the day, is both a fair and good summary - Photos of Mark, professional photographer, are splendid.

This article on the visit I made with Mark makes it perfectly the atmosphere of the discrete world of the cognac.

Cognac drinkers are predicted to switch loyalty from the “big four” brands to discover smaller producers, much like what has happened in the whisky and beer market.

Jean-Luc Montembault's insight:

At the moment, it is still hard to find shops which propose a wide range of cognacs including small producers.Happily, more and more small cognac estates have now their own online shop and can deliver to a number of countries.

The point is how to find these producers ?The best idea is to tour the vineyards of Cognac :- A good way to be away from the beaten track, meeting producers and- A good opportunity to taste their cognacs and select those one prefers

The best option is to immerse yourself in the country of "slow travel" where everyone gives time to time, discovering the way of living in the vineyards, visiting a traditional cooperage, following the fabulous process from the vine to the glass ...

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